Program Structure

The core program is the Graduate Diploma (GD), which consists of 6 courses offered in 6 consecutive terms and in general can be completed in 2 years studying part-time in the distance mode. This is the qualification that has been recognised by the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) as an acceptable alternative to their examination for purpose of application for IRSE Corporate membership.

The Graduate Certificate (GC) is not recognised by the IRSE. It is an exit qualification for those who have successfully completed the first 3 courses in the GD program. It is also the program that applicants without a basic engineering degree will be accepted into. For GC students to progress into the GD program, they will need to achieve a Weighted Grade Point Average of 5 and above in their first two courses of studies.

The Master degree qualification is for signal engineers who aspire to technical leadership within the profession. It comprises the completion of the GD and a further 3 courses of study. Admission to the master year is not automatic and will be subject to a suitable research topic as well as suitable supervisor(s). Please refer to the program brochure for requirements. There is no course work in the master year. Progress is via the demonstration of superior knowledge/skills in a specific area via project work which culminates in the submission of a thesis as well as presenting it to a professional audience. Please contact Associate Professor Ken Kwong k.kwong@cqu.edu.au for details.

The programs are structured as follows:

Year 1 Courses - Graduate Certificate in Railway Signalling
•   RAIL29004 CPD1 Signalling and safe rail operation (Term 1)
•   RAIL29005 CPD2 Signalling principles (Term 2)
•   RAIL29006 CPD3 Signalling the layout (Term 3) OR
•   RAIL29010 CPD7 Railway Telecommunications (Term 3)

Year 2 Courses - Graduate Diploma of Railway Signalling
•   RAIL29007 CPD4 Signalling applications engineering (Term 1)
•   RAIL29008 CPD5 Systems, management and engineering (Term 2)
•   RAIL29009 CPD6 Signalling research/investigation project (Term 3) OR
•   RAIL29023 CPD0 Signalling Professional Competency (Term 1, 2 or 3)

Year 3 Courses - Masters of Railway Signalling
•   RAIL29011 CPD8 Signalling Project Definition and Planning (Term 1, 2 or 3)
•   RAIL29012 CPD9 Signalling Project Implementation 1 (Term 1, 2 or 3)
•   RAIL29013 CPD10 Signalling Project Implementation 2 (Term 1, 2 or 3)

Railway Telecommunications

RAIL29010 CPD7 Railway Telecommunications which is offered in Term 3, can be taken by practising professional staff who wish to gain knowledge in this field; without the need to enrol in a Signalling and Telecommunications program.

All courses in the program are taught in an interactive flexible environment by recognised experts in the field via internet technology. On-going development of generic professional competency, such as communications, team work, time management, and project management etc, is integral within each course.
Please refer to the current CQUniversity Handbook for the most up-to-date synopsis of each course.